Plastic desk with integral computer

ABSTRACT

A desk that contains an integrated computer. The desk includes a screen and a keyboard that are attached to a frame. The desk may also have a backplane located in a slot of the frame. A portable transporter computer can be plugged into the backplane to couple the transporter with the screen and keyboard. A battery module may also be plugged into the frame to power the transporter, screen and keyboard. When the desk is not in use the battery module can be plugged into a charging station to recharge the batteries of the module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application of a provisionalapplication, Application No. 60/250,290 filed on Nov. 29, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a computer integrated into a schooldesk.

2. Background Information

Given the electronic age there is a desire to provide every student witha computer. Some school districts are even mandating that each studenthave a computer. Consequently, either the school district or the child'sparent(s) must purchase and supply the students with a computer. Thereare basically two types of commercially available computers, desk tops,or laptops.

FIG. 1 shows a conventional desk top computer 1. The computer 1 includesa “tower” 2 that is coupled to a keyboard 3 and a cathode ray tube(“CRT”) monitor 4. The tower 2 contains a microprocessor, memory andother electronic circuits as is known in the art.

The various components of the computer 1 can be placed on a desk 5. Desktop computers 1 can occupy a considerable amount of space. To provideadditional desk space the tower 2 may be placed below the computer.Unfortunately, this approach reduces the leg room under the desk.

The tower 2, keyboard 3 and monitor 4 are coupled together by cables(not shown) that must be connected when assembling the system. Thecables are unsightly and require a certain level of skill to connect. Askill that a child may not possess.

Instead of desk tops, the students may be provided with laptopcomputers. Laptop computers are portable and significantly smaller thandesk top computers. Unfortunately, the portability of laptops make suchmachines more susceptible to theft and damage.

Every computer in the classroom must have access to electrical power.Consequently, to fully equip a classroom with computers, power outletsmust be placed next to the computers, or power cables must be routedacross the classroom floor. Retrofitting classrooms to have multiplepower outlets is an expensive and time consuming task. Routing powercables across the floor is unsightly and creates safety issues for thestudents.

It is generally desirable to interconnect the computers of a classroom.Such an arrangement would allow the teacher to provide simultaneouselectronic instructions. Interconnecting the computers would againrequire adjacent network outlets or running cables across the room.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A desk that has a keyboard and a screen that are attached to a deskframe. The desk further includes a transporter computer that can beplugged into the frame and coupled to the keyboard and screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer on a desk of the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a desk and a cart;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a transporter computer;

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the transporter;

FIG. 5 is an end sectional view of the transporter;

FIG. 6 is a top sectional view showing the transporter plugged into abackplane;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a teachers podium;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a charging station;

FIG. 9 is a schematic of a classroom set;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a relational database;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an operation of the system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed is a desk that contains an integrated computer. The deskincludes a screen and a keyboard that are attached to a frame. The deskmay also have a backplane located in a slot of the frame. A portabletransporter computer can be plugged into the backplane to couple thetransporter with the screen and keyboard. A battery module may also beplugged into the frame to power the transporter, screen and keyboard.When the desk is not in use the battery module can be plugged into acharging station to recharge the batteries of the module. Providing apluggable, portable battery module allows the computer to operatewithout having to run power cables to the desk.

The desks of a classroom may be connected to each other and a teacherspodium through a network. The teachers podium may have two screens, onescreen to disseminate classroom instructions and another screen tomonitor the screens of the students. The network may include a wirelesshub, a router and a server. The students may pull their transportercomputer out of the desk frame and plug the transporter into a differentdesk. The transporter is coupled to the backplane of the desk frame. Thetransporter computer reads a backplane identification that is unique tothe desk. The transporter may then send a command to reconfigure arelational database in the server so that all network communications arerouted to the student at their new desk.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numbers, FIG. 2shows a desk 10. The desk 10 includes a frame 12 that has a plurality oflegs 14 attached to a table top 16. The table top 16 and legs 14 arepreferably constructed from a molded plastic material. Molded plasticmaterial is preferable because it is light, durable and economical. Itis desirable to construct the desk 10 so that a number of desks can bestacked onto a mobile cart 18. This allows the desks 10 to be morereadily transported and stored.

A keyboard 20 may be attached to the table top 16 of the frame 12. Thekeyboard 20 may be attached by screws or other fasteners that secure theboard 20 to the frame 12 but allow replacement of the part. The keyboard20 may include an integrated “mouse” (not shown). The table top 16 mayinclude a recessed area 21 for pencils, etc.

A screen 22 may be attached to a cover 24 of the frame 12. The cover 24can rotate down onto the table top 16 to increase the working surface ofthe desk 10 when the screen 22 is not being used by the student. Thescreen 22 can be attached with fasteners (not shown) that allow the partto be replaced. The screen 22 is preferably a flat panel device thatminimizes the profile of the desk 10.

The frame 12 includes a slot 26 that can receive a portable transportercomputer 28 and a slot 30 that can receive a portable battery module 32.The underside of the frame 12 may contain the appropriate connectors,wires, etc. so that the computer 28 is coupled to the screen 22 andkeyboard 20, and the devices 20, 22 and 28 are powered by the batterymodule 32. The battery module 32 is preferably constructed to operatethe desk for a full day school session. The portable battery module 32eliminates the need for placing electrical outlets next to the desk 10or routing power cables across the classroom.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 show an embodiment of a transporter computer 28. Thetransporter 28 may include a plurality of integrated circuit packages 34mounted to a printed circuit board 36. The packages 34 containintegrated circuits (not shown). For example, the integrated circuitsmay include a microprocessor, volatile memory, a bus chip set, etc. andother circuits required to create an operational computer.

An electrical connector 38 may be mounted to the printed circuit board36 and connected to the integrated circuits. The connector 38 can beplugged into a mating connector (not shown) of the desk frame 12 tocouple the transporter 28 to the screen 22, keyboard 20 and batterymodule 32 of the desk 10.

The transporter 28 may include a hard disk drive 40. The disk drive 40may be mounted to a separate printed circuit board 42 and connected tothe top circuit board 38 by a flexible circuit board and correspondingconnector (not shown).

The hard disk drive 40 and integrated circuit packages 34 may beenclosed by an outer protective housing 44. The housing 44 may include apair of end plates 46 attached to a cover 48. The housing 44 may includeone or more gaskets 50 located between the end plates 46 and the cover48. The transporter 28 may also have an additional gasket 52 for theconnector 38. The gaskets 50 and 52 can provide a seal that preventsfluid from entering the transporter 28. Additionally, the gaskets 50 candampen a shock load applied to the transporter housing 44.

The transporter 28 may include a first heat sink 52 that is attached toan integrated circuit package 34. The package 34 may contain anintegrated circuit that generates a relatively high amount of heat, suchas a microprocessor. The transporter 28 may also have a second heat sink54 that is attached to the cover 48 of the transporter housing 44. Aconductive spring 56 may be located between the first 52 and second 54heat sinks. The spring 56 may be a conductive elastomer material thatcan compensate for mechanical tolerances in the transporter assembly.

The transporter housing 44 may have a pair of outer grooves 58 thatslide along corresponding rails (not shown) located within the slot 26of the desk frame 12. The rails and grooves 58 provide bearings to guidethe transporter 28 into and out of the slot 26.

FIG. 6 shows a transporter 28 being plugged into a backplane 60 of thedesk 10. The backplane 60 may include a plurality of integrated circuitpackages 62 mounted to a printed circuit board 64. The printed circuitboard 64 is attached to the frame 12 of the desk 10. The backplane 60has a connector 66 that mates with the connector 38 of the transporter28. The backplane 60 may also have additional connectors 68 that can becoupled to the keyboard, screen and battery module of the desk 10.

The desk 10 may include a mechanical lock 70 that is mounted to theframe 12. The lock 70 can be actuated to secure the transporter 28 tothe desk 10. By way of example, the lock 70 may be a solenoid actuatedplunger 72 that moves into a corresponding slot 74 of the transporterhousing 44. The plunger 72 can be moved out of the slot 74 to allow thetransporter 28 to be pulled out of the desk 10.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a teachers podium 80. Like the desk 10 thepodium 80 may include a frame 82 that has a table top 84 and a pluralityof legs 86. The frame 82 may be constructed from a light, strong andrelatively inexpensive molded plastic material.

A keyboard 88 may be attached to the table top 84. The podium 80 mayinclude a first screen 90 and a separate second screen 92 that areattached to the frame 82. The teachers podium 80 may also includetransporters 94 and 96, and battery modules 98 and 100. Transporter 94and battery module 98 may be coupled to the first screen 90. Transporter96 and battery module 100 may be coupled to the second screen 92.

The transporters 94 and 96 may be coupled to the desks 10 of a classroomso that a teacher operating the podium 80 can transmit and receiveelectronic information from the students. The separate screens 90 and92, and transporters 94 and 96 allow the teacher to multi-task during aclass session. For example, one transporter/screen may be used toprovide classroom instructions to each student in the class. The othertransporter/screen may be used to monitor a student(s). The podium 80may be provided with collaborative software that allows the teacher tooperate a students computer through the keyboard 88.

FIG. 8 shows a charging station 110 that can recharge the batterymodules 32. The charging station 110 may include a cabinet 112 that hasa plurality of slots 114. Each slot 114 may include an electricalconnector (not shown) that is attached to an AC/DC converter andregulator that can recharge a DC battery. The battery module 32 mayinclude a plurality of batteries (not shown) located within a modulehousing 116. The module 32 may also have an electrical connector 118that can be plugged into a connector located in the slot 30 of the deskframe 12 or the connector located within the slot 114 of the chargingstation 110. At the end of each day the teacher and students may pullout their battery modules 32 and plug the modules 32 into the chargingstation 110 to recharge the batteries.

The charging station cabinet 112 may also house a server 120, a router122 and a wireless transceiver 124 to interconnect the teachers andstudents with each other and other outside networks.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic of a transporter 28 and a backplane 60. Thetransporter 28 may include a microprocessor 130 that is coupled to oneor more memory devices 132, an input/output (I/O) interface 134 and thehard disk drive 40. The memory devices 132 may include volatile and/ornon-volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), staticrandom access memory (SRAM) and read only memory (ROM).

The I/O interface 134 is connected to the connector 38 shown in FIG. 6.The microprocessor 130 may be connected to a graphics controller that isintegrated with other functions such as bus management in an integratedcircuit commonly referred to as a chip set 136. The microprocessor 130may also be connected to a secondary I/O interface 138. The secondaryI/O interface 138 can be coupled to an external device such asadditional memory (not shown).

The transporter 10 may also have a transmitter 140 that can wirelesslytransmit signals. By way of example, the transmitter 140 can transmitsignals at radio frequency (RF). The transmitter 140 may be coupled to anon-volatile memory device that contains an RF id. If the transporter 28is not properly shut down and detached from the backplane 60, thetransmitter 140 may then automatically transmit the RF id on acontinuous or periodic basis.

For example, the computer 28 may require a password or biometric entryto properly shut down and remove the transporter 28. If thepassword/biometric is not properly entered and the operator pulls thetransporter 28 out of the backplane 12 the processor 130 may cause thetransmitter 140 to emit the RF id. The transporter 28 would have abattery (not shown) to provide power to the transmitter 140.

The backplane 60 may have an I/O interface 142 that is connected to I/Oports 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152. Each I/O port 144, 146, 148, 150 and152 is connected to a corresponding electrical connector. The I/Ointerface 142 is also connected to a connector (see item 66 in FIG. 6)that can be mated to the transporter 28.

The I/O ports 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 can be connected to externaldevices that communicate with the backplane 60 using different signalsand different protocols. The interface 142 may contain the protocolsrequired to transmit information through the ports 144, 146, 148, 150and 152. The ports 144, 146, 148, 150 and 152 may have circuits to drivethe signals to interface with the physical layer of the external device.

By way of example, I/O port 144, may be connected to the screen 22. TheI/O interface 142 and port 146 can be configured to transmit signalsfrom the transporter 28 in accordance with signal levels and protocolsrequired to drive the screen 22. The I/O interface 142 may include a hotplug firmware routine that determines the protocol, signals required todrive the screen 22 through a series of handshake signals transmittedbetween the devices 142 and 22.

I/O port 146 may be connected to the keyboard 20. The interface 142 andport 146 may be configured to provide protocols and signal levels whichallow information to be transmitted from the keyboard 20 to thetransporter 28.

I/O port 150 may be connected to a wireless transceiver 156. Thewireless transceiver 156 is coupled to the wireless transceiver 124coupled to the server 120. The wireless transceivers 124 and 156 maytransmit signals with an RF carrier, optical medium or any other meansfor wireless transmission. The information can be transmitted inaccordance with various wireless protocals.

I/O port 148 may be connected to a wireless transceiver 154 that iscoupled to a telephone network (not shown). The telephone network may bea plain old telephone system (POTS), a public telephone network (PTN),Integrated Service Data Network (ISDN), Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) oranother other phone service. The interface 142 and port 148 may transmitinformation in accordance with the signal levels, frequencies,protocols, etc. of the telephone network.

I/O port 152 may be an open port for additional devices. For example,port 152 may support USB protocol. The backplane 60 may have additionalports that support other post, present and future protocols and physicallayer specifications. The I/O interface 142 may also be connected to thelock 70 by lock driver 158.

The backplane 60 may have a memory device 160 that is connected to theI/O interface 142. The memory device 160 may be non-volatile memory suchas an EEPROM. The memory device 160 may include a backplaneidentification. The backplane identification is unique to the backplane12 and each desk 10.

The backplane 12 of each desk 10 will have a different backplaneidentification. The backplane identification may be a series ofalphanumeric characters. The backplane identification may also beencrypted.

The transporter 28 may store a unique client identification. The clientidentification may include personal information of the computer enduser. The personal information may include a network address andtelephone number for the computer. The client identification may beencrypted or otherwise encoded. The client identification may be storedin at least one hidden sector of the hard disk drive 40, to preventunauthorized access to the client ID.

The server 120 and router 122 may also be connected to an externalnetwork 160, such as the Internet. The server 120 may also be connectedto an alarm 162. The server 120, router 122 and wireless transceiver 124may be coupled to the teachers podium 80 and all of the student desks 10in a classroom. It being understood that the podium 80 has backplanesand transceivers coupled to the transporters 94 and 96.

The router 122 may route information to the podium 80 and desks 10 inaccordance with a network address. By way of example, the networkaddress may be an Internet Protocol (IP) address.

As shown in FIG. 10, the server 120 may include a relational database164. The database 164 may have a backplane identification field 166, anetwork address field 168, a phone number field 170, an authorizationfield 172 and an evacuation plan field 174. The database 164 correlatesthe backplane identification of each desk 10, with a network address,phone number (optional) and an evacuation plan.

The server 120 may operate in accordance with a software routine thataccepts a command from the transporter 28 and re-configures the database164 in accordance with the command. For example, the transporter 28 maytransmit through the wireless transceivers a command that includes theclient identification and an instruction to re-configure the database164. The server 120 correlates the client identification with a specificnetwork address and a phone number for the user's transporter. Theserver 120 may include a look-up table that associates the clientidentification with the network address and phone number. The server 120can then vary the network relational database 164 to correlate theaddress and phone number of the client ID with the backplane and desk 10that are mated with the transporter 28. Once the database 164 isre-configured all information associated with the address and phonenumber of the transporter 28 will be routed to the appropriatebackplane. The computer ID automatically re-configures the network(s) bytransmitting a command. There is no requirement to manually re-configurethe system.

For example, a student may be sitting at a desk with a backplane ID atAAA and an network address of 0001. All network communications addressedto network address 0001 are routed to backplane AAA in accordance withthe relational database 164. The student may then plug their tranporterinto a different desk that has a backplane with a backplane ID of BBB.The transporter reads the new backplane ID and provides a command forthe server. The command is interpreted by the server to re-configure therelational database 164 and correlate the network address 0001 with thebackplane ID BBB. All network communication for address 0001 to thenrouted to the desk with backplane BBB.

The server 120 may have a software routine that compares the clientidentification with an authorized client identification and activatesthe alarm 162 if the identifications do not match. The server 120 mayalso send a command to the backplane 60 to drive the lock 70 into alocked position so that the end user cannot unplug the transporter 28from the backplane 60. The server 120 may also inhibit operation of thecomputer. For example, the server may send a command(s) to turn off thetransporter 28, or prevent communication through the backplane 60.

The transmitter 140 may transmit the RF id if the transporter 28 isimproperly detached from the backplane 60. The RF id signal may bereceived by the transceiver 124. The server 120 may have a softwareroutine that drives the alarm 162 and records the alarm event when thetransceiver 124 senses the RF id.

The microprocessor 130 may operate in accordance with a softwareroutine. The software routine may be performed in accordance withinstructions and data stored within memory 132 and/or the hard diskdrive 40. FIG. 11 describes an operation of the system by softwareroutines performed by the transporter 28 and the server 120.

The end user initially plugs the transporter 28 into the backplane 60.The transporter 28 then-reads the backplane identification from thememory device 160 in process block 200. The backplane ID can be readduring an initialization routine of the transporter 28, wherein theprocessor 130 request data from the appropriate address(es) of thebackplane memory 160. In decision block 202 the transporter compares thebackplane identification transmitted from the backplane with a storedbackplane identification. The stored backplane identification is thebackplane ID for the backplane that was last coupled to the transporter28. If the identifications match, a boot up routine is run so that thetransporter 28 can be operated in process block 204. Matching IDssignify that the transporter 28 has not been moved to a differentbackplane.

If the identifications do not match, the computer transmits a command tothe server 120 in block 206. The command may include the clientidentification. The client ID may be retrieved from the hidden sector(s)of the hard disk drive 40.

The command may be routed to the server 120 in accordance with a servernetwork address entered into the computer through a configurationprogram. Alternatively, the server 120 may download the network addresswhen the transporter 28 is plugged into the backplane 60. The backplane60 may send a signal to prompt a download of the server network addresswhen the connectors 38 and 66 are mated.

The server 120 re-configures the relational database to correlate theclient identification information such as network address and phonenumber with the backplane identification in block 208. All informationaddressed to the network address and/or phone number will then be routedto the corresponding backplane associated with the clientidentification.

The server 120 may compare the client identification with an authorizedclient identification in decision block 210. If authorization is notgranted the server 120 may transmit a command(s) to the backplane 60 toinhibit operation of the computer and/or engage the lock 70 in processblock 212. If authorization is granted the server may then transmit anevacuation plan to the transporter in block 214. The evacuation plan mayinclude diagrams, etc. that show the end user an evacuation route fromthe facility. The evacuation plan is unique to the backplane, such thatthe evacuation route is specifically directed to the physical locationof the desk and the classroom. The transporter 28 can be bootedsubsequent to the transmission of the command in step 206.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other modifications mayoccur to those ordinarily skilled in the art.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A method for operating a desk, comprising: plugginga transporter computer into a frame to couple the transporter computerto a screen and a keyboard that are attached to the frame.
 22. Themethod of claim 21, further comprising plugging a battery module intothe frame.
 23. The method of claim 21, wherein the transporter computeris locked to the frame.
 24. A classroom desk set, comprising: a deskthat includes; a frame; a screen attached to said frame; a keyboardattached to said frame; a transporter computer plugged into said frameand coupled to said keyboard and said screen; a battery module that isplugged into said frame and coupled to said transporter, said screen andsaid keyboard; and, a charging station that can charge said batterymodule.
 25. The set of claim 24, wherein said screen is attached to acover that can rotate relative onto a table top of said frame.
 26. Theset of claim 24, wherein said frame includes a table top and a pluralityof legs that are constructed from a molded plastic material.
 27. The setof claim 24, further comprising a backplane that is attached to saidframe and coupled to said transporter computer.
 28. The set of claim 27,wherein said backplane includes a backplane identification that isunique to said backplane.
 29. The set of claim 28, wherein saidtransporter computer retrieves said backplane identification andtransmits a network re-configuration command.
 30. The set of claim 24,further comprising a wireless transceiver coupled to said transportercomputer.
 31. The set of claim 24, wherein said transporter computercontains a wireless transmitter.
 32. The set of claim 24, furthercomprising a lock that secures said transporter computer to said frame.33. The set of claim 24, wherein said charging station includes a serverand a router.
 34. The set of claim 24, wherein said charging stationincludes a wireless transceiver.
 35. The set of claim 24, furthercomprising a teachers podium that is coupled to said desk, said teacherspodium having a frame, a first screen attached to said frame, a secondscreen attached to said frame, a keyboard attached to said frame, and acomputer coupled to said frame.
 36. The set of claim 35, wherein saidcomputer is integrated into a transporter that is plugged into saidteachers podium frame.
 37. The set of claim 24, further comprising amobile cart that can support said frame.
 38. A classroom desk set,comprising: a desk that includes; a frame; a screen attached to saidframe; a keyboard attached to said frame; transporter computer means forplugging into said frame and being coupled to said keyboard and saidscreen; battery module means for plugging into said frame and beingcoupled to said transporter computer means, said screen and saidkeyboard; and, charging station means for charging said battery modulemeans.
 39. The set of claim 38, wherein said screen is attached to acover that can rotate relative onto a table top of said frame.
 40. Theset of claim 38, wherein said frame includes a table top and a pluralityof legs that are constructed from a molded plastic material.
 41. The setof claim 38, further comprising a backplane means for coupling saidtransporter computer means to said screen and said keyboard.
 42. The setof claim 41, wherein said backplane includes a backplane identificationthat is unique to said backplane.
 43. The set of claim 42, wherein saidtransporter computer means retrieves said backplane identification andtransmits a network re-configuration command.
 44. The set of claim 38,further comprising a wireless transceiver coupled to said transportercomputer means.
 45. The set of claim 38, wherein said transportercomputer means contains a wireless transmitter.
 46. The set of claim 38,further comprising lock means for securing said transporter computermeans to said frame.
 47. The set of claim 38, wherein said chargingstation means includes a server and a router.
 48. The set of claim 38,wherein said charging station means includes a wireless transceiver. 49.The set of claim 38, further comprising a teachers podium that iscoupled to said desk, said teachers podium having a frame, a firstscreen attached to said frame, a second screen attached to said frame, akeyboard attached to said frame, and a computer coupled to said frame.50. The set of claim 49, wherein said computer is integrated into atransporter that is plugged into said teachers podium frame.
 51. The setof claim 38, further comprising a mobile cart that can support saidframe.
 52. A computer transporter, comprising: a printed circuit board;an integrated circuit package mounted to said printed circuit board; ahard disk drive coupled to said printed circuit board; an electricalconnector attached to said printed circuit board; a housing thatencloses said printed circuit board, said integrated circuit package andsaid hard disk drive; a first heat sink attached to said integratedcircuit package; and, a spring that couples said first heat sink to saidhousing.
 53. The transporter of claim 52, wherein said housing is sealedto prevent a fluid from coming into contact with said printed circuitboard.
 54. The transporter of claim 52, further comprising a second heatsink that is coupled to said spring and said housing.
 55. Thetransporter of claim 52, wherein said housing has an outer groove.
 56. Acomputer transporter, comprising: a printed circuit board; an integratedcircuit package mounted to said printed circuit board; a hard disk drivecoupled to said printed circuit board; an electrical connector attachedto said printed circuit board; and, a housing assembly that encloses andseals said printed circuit board, said integrated circuit package andsaid hard disk drive.
 57. The transporter of claim 56, wherein saidhousing assembly includes a cover, a pair of end plates attached to saidcover, and a pair of gaskets each located between said housing an one ofsaid end plates.